A group of residents calling for action after a mound of earth was moved onto a Woking park are "quietly optimistic" following a meeting with the borough council's chief executive.

Natasha Zinman, Fiona Mellon and Kerri Comerford launched a petition, which has now been signed by almost 1,000 people, after the earth was put on part of Queen Elizabeth Gardens off Horsell High Street.

The mound is excess material from the construction of the nearby scout hut and car park.

The petition calls on Woking Borough Council to "level out the new mound that is being created in our park to retain the original flat playing area".

On Wednesday, the group, now known as Queen Elizabeth Park Action Group, met with council chief executive Ray Morgan, who agreed to consult with members.

Miss Comerford, a mother who lives in Horsell and is a member of the action group, organised the meeting.

“The council is in dialogue with us,” she said. “He was very welcoming, he was very positive.

"We are not counting our chickens but it’s feeling very positive. We are quietly optimistic.

"Consultation is the first part of what we were asking for. Our ultimate goal is a ball playing area.

"I think he is going to meet as many of our requirements as he can.”

Miss Comerford said, however, that it was not just the petitioners, but householders, Horsell Bowling Club and scouts who want action taken.

“I sought to assure them I would come forward with proposals in line with the council’s original ambition for improvement in the centre of Horsell, which will provide excellent facilities for the village and the community.

“I explained that before the council implement the final stage of landscaping, we will consult with them further and allow them to make representations on the detailed proposal.

“It is anticipated that it will be some three months before the works will be substantially complete. In the meantime, I asked them and their fellow residents to bear with us, as I appreciate the current work in progress is inconvenient.”

Initial planning was agreed for the Horsell Village Project to provide a new scout hut, better village hall facilities and improved facilities around the war memorial, as well as refurbish the historic institute building.

An amendment to the plans was later made for landscaping details.

The planning application for the amendment was to "retain spoil on site and re-profile proposed soft landscape areas".

Parents said they were concerned the mound could be dangerous as it descends onto a concrete path on one side, and the president of Horsell Bowling Club said they were unhappy with the height because people could stand on top of it and see onto the bowling green.